Representative Keeler delivers emotional farewell, highlights Pathway Home Act and representation

Representative Keeler delivered an emotional farewell on the House floor, thanking staff and colleagues and urging the Legislature to sustain work on homelessness and inclusion. "I wasn't invited here. This wasn't a place that people said I could grow up to do this work," Keeler said as she described her path from community volunteer to state lawmaker.

Keeler, who identified herself as an Indigenous queer woman from Minnesota’s west side, said grassroots service drove her decision to run and recounted the consequences of racial justice moments for her generation. She described running a different kind of campaign focused on neighbors' basic needs — food and health care — and recalled that the murder of George Floyd prompted many to step up. "We made the Pathway Home Act and we know we're saving lives," Keeler said when describing legislative work on preventing homelessness, and she thanked staff and leadership who helped advance those efforts. Keeler also thanked allies, including Molly Peterson and Chair Gomez, for support through her terms.

Keeler urged the body to stay mindful of members who travel long distances, asking colleagues to avoid early Monday morning start times: "Please make sure you don't schedule things early on a Monday morning because when we have to get up at 05:00AM to drive here, we're not our best selves." She closed with gratitude to her family and staff and a reminder to care for mental health and each other: "Drink water. Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime. It's time to rest."